Urban Planning Needs a Feminist Approach: Addressing Gender Inequality in Transportation

In a recent video, urbanism advocate David William Rosales highlighted the need for a more feminist approach to urban planning. Rosales points to studies indicating that women are disproportionately affected by harassment on public transportation, often resorting to more expensive ride-sharing alternatives. "Women spend up to $1200 more per year on transportation for safety reasons," Rosales stated, referencing a report by Transportation Alternatives. Conversely, he cited research showing that the implementation of protected bike lanes in New York City led to a 4-6% increase in women's cycling. This suggests that investing in safer cycling infrastructure could offer a more affordable and secure transportation option for women. Rosales' video underscores the importance of considering gender-specific safety concerns when designing urban spaces.